Inside Gene Hackman's awful final days: How Hollywood great died after days of starving and confused horror not even realising his wife was dead as dogs went mad

One of Hollywood’s legends, Gene Hackman, was known for his two Oscar wins, his friendship with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, and his iconic roles in groundbreaking films.

However, the end of his life was a stark contrast to his glamorous career. Gene Hackman passed away in the mud room of his Santa Fe mansion, far from the glitz and glam of Hollywood. His death came just a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died in their bathroom from a rat-borne virus.

Authorities confirmed that Gene Hackman, aged 95, died from cardiovascular disease around February 18, following the tragic death of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, aged 65, from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) on February 11.

Officials said Hackman – whose battle with advanced Alzheimer’s was confirmed publicly on Friday – tragically may not even have known his wife had died.

HPS, which initially presents with flu like symptoms, can progress rapidly, leading to breathing problems, low blood pressure, and organ failure.

The scene of chaos in the bathroom tells a grim tale of a swift decline by Arakawa. 

She was found lying on the floor with her head next to a space heater with thyroid medication pills scattered around her. 

Gene Hackman met a lonely in the mud room of his Santa Fe mansion on February 18 - a week after the death of his wife Betsy Arakawa in the bathroom from a rat-borne virus - seen 1992

Gene Hackman met a lonely in the mud room of his Santa Fe mansion on February 18 – a week after the death of his wife Betsy Arakawa in the bathroom from a rat-borne virus – seen 1992

Hackman's life until 2004 was lived in the Hollywood glare - he is pictured with friend and Unforgiven co-star Clint Eastwood at the 1993 Oscars

Hackman’s life until 2004 was lived in the Hollywood glare – he is pictured with friend and Unforgiven co-star Clint Eastwood at the 1993 Oscars 

Unforgiven star Hackman may have wandered around the sprawling 9000 square foot home, lost and confused, for seven days – without his partner of three decades by his side to feed and care for him, or look after their three treasured dogs,

Left to fend for himself and with his wife’s body decomposing in their bathroom, Hackman, who was already in ‘very poor health’ went without food.

An autopsy showed his stomach was empty at the time of his death.

Hackman was found dead with his cane and sunglasses by his side in a room just off the kitchen following an apparent fall – hinting he may have been on his way out of the home before his weak heart gave in.

His pacemaker’s last recorded activity was on February 18 – but help would not arrive until over a week later.

The reclusive couple’s dogs, who were lovingly cared for by the couple, were also left alone.

Their pet Zinna, who had been picked up by Arakawa from a veterinary hospital on February 9 – two days before her death – was found dead in a a kennel in a bathroom closet about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa’s partially mummified remains.

Officials believe the animal had been crated due to the recent medical care it had received. 

A German Shepherd named Bear and a second dog named Nikita were found running around the 12 acre property – with a dog door allowing them access to food and water.

He was found dead with his cane and sunglasses by his side in a room just off the kitchen after an apparent fall, hinting he may have been on his way out before his weak heart gave in - pictured 1991

He was found dead with his cane and sunglasses by his side in a room just off the kitchen after an apparent fall, hinting he may have been on his way out before his weak heart gave in – pictured 1991 

Hackman, 95, died from heart disease a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome - and police said the Alzheimer's stricken star may not have known she was dead - pictured 2024

Hackman, 95, died from heart disease a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome – and police said the Alzheimer’s stricken star may not have known she was dead – pictured 2024

Left to fend for himself and with his wife's body decomposing in their bathroom, Hackman, who was already in 'very poor health' went without food - pictured 1992

Left to fend for himself and with his wife’s body decomposing in their bathroom, Hackman, who was already in ‘very poor health’ went without food – pictured 1992

Unforgiven star Hackman may have wandered around the sprawling 9000 square foot home (pictured), lost and confused, for seven days with the couple's dogs running loose

Unforgiven star Hackman may have wandered around the sprawling 9000 square foot home (pictured), lost and confused, for seven days with the couple’s dogs running loose

Hackman and Arakawa are seen with two unidentified dogs. One of their dogs Zinna also died in their home

Hackman and Arakawa are seen with two unidentified dogs. One of their dogs Zinna also died in their home 

The dogs were discovered loose when the mummified bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were discovered on February 26 by two maintenance workers.

Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Investigator for the state of New Mexico, said their deaths had both been ruled as natural, and that no signs of internal or external trauma were found.

This followed days of intense speculation around the mysterious deaths. 

A CDC source told DailyMail.com that while the couple’s main home did not show any signs of rodent activity, some of the property’s outbuildings – including a garage and two casitas – had rodent droppings and other evidence of rodent activity. 

Hantavirus is typically is reported in spring and summer, often due to exposures that occur when people are near mouse droppings in homes, sheds or poorly ventilated areas. 

While hantavirus is found throughout the world, most cases in the U.S. have been found in western states. 

The virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. 

The mortality of the hantavirus strain in the south west of the United States is about 38% to 50%, and is not transmissible from person to person, Dr Jarrell added. 

Jarrell said there was no reliable method to get an exact time for death, but concluded that Hackman probably died around February 18. 

On February 11, they said she had an email conversation with her massage therapist before later in the afternoon going to a farmers market. 

Hackman - who was devoted to his wife - was forced to face death - without her by his side - pictured 1994

Hackman – who was devoted to his wife – was forced to face death – without her by his side – pictured 1994

She was caught on CVS surveillance footage shortly after the market, before then going to a local pet food store. 

Her car was then seen on surveillance entering the gated community at 5:15pm on February 11. 

Officials said that numerous emails went unopened on February 11, and that there was no further communication from her account after that day.

Detectives are still waiting on retrieving her full cell phone data, but said her last known activity was February 11. 

Jarrell said: ‘Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer´s disease,’ Jarrell said. 

Chief Medical Investigator Heather Jarrell confirmed Hackman was in a 'very poor state of health'

Chief Medical Investigator Heather Jarrell confirmed Hackman was in a ‘very poor state of health’

‘He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.’

Officials had also said that there was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the couple.

Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth had earlier floated a theory that the couple had died from carbon monoxide poisoning, which authorities officially quashed last week. 

She told TMZ that the family believed their deaths came about after inhaling the toxic fumes. 

Hackman shared three children with his first wife Faye Maltese. He and Arakawa, a classical pianist, had been married for the last three decades.

The gruff-but-beloved Hackman was among the finest actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Santa Fe County deputies are pictured outside the New Mexico home

Santa Fe County deputies are pictured outside the New Mexico home 

Hackman and Arakawa are pictured with Hackman's daughters Leslie and Elizabeth at a Beverly Hills movie premiere in 1996

Hackman and Arakawa are pictured with Hackman’s daughters Leslie and Elizabeth at a Beverly Hills movie premiere in 1996  

He was a five-time Oscar nominee who won for The French Connection in 1972 and Unforgiven two decades later. 

Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s.

They soon moved in together, and by the end of the decade had decamped to Santa Fe.

A naturally private man, Hackman was labelled a recluse as he remained out of the public eye for years on end following his retirement from the movie industry. He retired from acting in 2004. 

Friends occasionally shared glimpses of his post-acting life, including social media shots of fishing expeditions – while paying tribute to his silver screen triumphs. He would also occasionally be spotted pedaling around Santa Fe on a bicycle.

The couple´s stucco, Pueblo-revival style home sits on a hill in a gated community at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains. Santa Fe is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.

Hackman dedicated much of his time in retirement to painting and writing novels far from Hollywood´s social circuit. 

He served for several years on the board of trustees at the Georgia O´Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and he and his wife were investors in local businesses.

Hackman won his second Oscar for his role as a brutal sheriff in 1992's Unforgiven

 Hackman won his second Oscar for his role as a brutal sheriff in 1992’s Unforgiven

In an interview with Empire in 2020, he said he enjoyed watching DVDs that Arakawa rented. 

Hackman said: ‘We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce.

‘Friday night is set aside for a Comedy Channel marathon, with particular attention paid to Eddie Izzard. The speed of thought is amazing.’

You May Also Like
Surprising baby names that have surged as most popular in America are revealed

Revealing the unexpected baby names that have soared in popularity in America

The most popular baby names in America for 2024 has been revealed,…
Judge rules death penalty to remain as possible punishment amid Bryan Kohberger autism diagnosis

“Bryan Kohberger accused of searching images of female students, some possibly linked to alleged victims”

Bryan Kohberger allegedly searched for pictures of female students on his cellphone,…
My sister VANISHED days after her husband made a bloody altar and put a hex on her. Now he's tormenting our family

My sister disappeared after her husband created a bloody altar and cursed her. He is now causing trouble for our family.

It has been more than four years since Maya Millete was last…
Dem Mayor Arrested for Storming ICE Facility Plays the Victim on CNN, Then Damning Video Comes Out

“Mayor Arrested for Action at ICE Facility Reacts on CNN, Followed by Release of Incriminating Video”

As RedState reported, things got spicy in New Jersey on Friday after…
Jeffrey Rupnow, father of 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who killed 2 at Madison, Wisconsin religious school, faces felony charges

Jeffrey Rupnow Appears in Court for Felony Charges Related to Daughter’s Involvement in Madison School Incident

MADISON, Wis. — The father of a 15-year-old girl who killed a…
Star snaps of the week: Boys’ club with Tom Cruise, George Clooney, David Beckham and more
Round-up of the week’s celebrity sightings: Men’s group featuring Tom Cruise, George…
Pope Leo XIV calls this a challenge to 'human dignity' in first address to cardinals

“Pope Leo XIV Deems It a Threat to ‘Human Dignity’ in Inaugural Speech to Cardinals”

Leo XIV’s initial address as pope featured a poignant message to the…
Karen Read trial reveals flirty text messages with ATF agent behind boyfriend's back

Revelation from Karen Read trial: Flirtatious text exchanges with ATF agent while in a relationship

Karen Read’s defense team scored a victory in Friday’s intense cross-examination of…
The State of Michigan's Growing Budget Must Be the Priority of Whoever Replaces Gretchen Whitmer in 2026

Focusing on Michigan’s Increasing Budget Should Be the Top Concern for the Future Leader after Gretchen Whitmer in 2026

Truly never too soon, Is It? Before delving into the main topic…
Former Trump advisors wage Balkan campaign as MAGA moves into Europe

Trump’s ex-advisors promote MAGA in Europe’s Balkan region

Former campaign advisors of President Donald Trump are currently working on a…
MAUREEN CALLAHAN: Even for The View, this was heinous... but I'll never forget THAT delicious, blink and you miss it on-air slip up

“A Look Back at a Memorable On-Air Moment on The View That Had Everyone Talking”

The Bidens are back from the political dead. Or trying their hardest,…
Revealed: How Prince William went 'ballistic' after he was presented with a 'dossier of distress' documenting claims about Meghan Markle's treatment of staff

Prince William’s reaction to a ‘dossier of distress’ detailing claims about Meghan Markle’s treatment of staff was explosive.

Prince William went ‘ballistic’ when he heard claims that Meghan Markle was being…